Bethel Twp. supervisors hear spring and summer road repair, maintenance plans

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Upcoming spring and summer road work plus a number of Bell & Evans construction matters highlighted the April 9 monthly meeting of Bethel Township supervisors.

Supervisor Michael Saphore, also the township’s roadmaster, opened the meeting by previewing road maintenance projects on tap for the spring and summer. Pipe crossings under Greble Road, South Center Street, and Fortna Road have decayed or been damaged beyond repair, and will be replaced “prior to or at the same time we’re doing some base repair work” and repaving, he explained.

Saphore added that base repairs are scheduled for Deer, Elk, and Shirksville roads, plus South Center Street.

The township’s road crew has been busy fixing potholes and replacing cold patch repairs that haven’t held up. “We had a rough winter,” Saphore said. “Some of the patches didn’t take as well as we usually anticipate.”

Affected roads will be shut down during the work and detours will be set up. “We’ll probably have a couple of days’ notice for that,” Saphore said.

Saphore closed by reporting that “we’ve started our spring and summer maintenance up at (Lions) park. The water has been turned on and we’re ready to rock ‘n’ roll.”

Supervisors addressed a block of agenda items relating to construction projects at poultry producer Bell & Evans and the requirements of the township’s subdivision and land development ordinance. They tabled a request to waive certain requirements at the new cook facility, granted a time extension to meet parking requirements at Plant 2, and granted another time extension to file plans for Bell & Evans’ proposed transportation center.

Supervisors also approved the partial release of a number of construction bonds posted by Bell & Evans for projects that are in various stages of completion.

Other township business

Also on April 9:

• Township attorney Andrew Morrow’s gave an update on his comprehensive review of the township’s zoning ordinance.
• Supervisors approved the appointments of Gary Martz and Beth West to fill elected auditor vacancies through Dec. 31, 2027. Elected township auditors are required by law to oversee all township accounts and file reports with the Court of Common Pleas, the Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General.
• Morrow reviewed applications for two “Agricultural Security Areas” submitted by Elvin and Lenna Martin & Joseph & Dawn Detweiler at 65 Halteman Lane, and by Michael and Richelle Blecker at 221 Long Road. The commonwealth’s ASA program is intended to protect farmland from non-agricultural uses.
• Supervisors approved 2026 lifeguard and concession stand wages at the township pool.
• Supervisors approved a 90-day salary increase as of April 19 for Thomas Brewer, the road crew’s latest hire.
• Supervisors approved the Fredericksburg Fire Company’s request to participate in upcoming Memorial Day and America250 parades.
• Supervisors approved the Fredericksburg’s Lion’s Club request to hold its annual Easter egg hunt at the park.

Next meeting

Bethel Township supervisors meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the municipal building at 3015 S. Pine Grove St., Fredericksburg. The next meeting is scheduled for May 14.